Fuse for projectiles.



F. w.,s. STOKES.

FU SE FOB PROJECTILES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2.1917.

Patented Mar. 25,1919.

7 2 S HEETSSHEET l.

F. W. S. STOKES.

FUSE FOR- PROJECTILES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 211917.

1 298,41 8. Patented Mar; 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FREDERICK WILFB/ID SCOTT STOKES, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

FUSE FOR PROJECTILES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mal. 25, 1919.

Application filed July 2, 1917. Serial No. 178,282.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK WILFRID SooTT SToKns, a subject of the King of England, residing at London, in England, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Fuses for Projectiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fuses for projectiles more particularly time fuses and has for its object to produce a simple and cheap form of fuse which will be certain in operation and more especially adapted for use with projectiles to be fired from trench mortars and like ordnance.

According to this invention two strips or lengths of material such as Bickford fuse composed of a highly combustible substance inclosed in an outer covering of material less readily combustible are disposed side by side and in contact throughout the Whole or a portion of their length. Preferably a continuous strip is employed and doubled or folded back on itself so that the two parts lie parallel and in contact for the desired distance. The strips are suitably mounted in a fuse body and some convenient means are provided for so perforating or otherwise breaking the outer cover of each strip at adjacent points that when one strip has been ignited combustion can spread from the interior of one strip to the interior of the other at the place.wherethe perforations have been effected. A graduated guide or the like serves to indicate the point at which the perforating or similar operation must take place in order that combustion will travel from the end of one strip through the perforations and to the end of the other strip in a given time. For the purpose of effecting initial ignition a cap or the like is mounted on one end of one strip while at one end of the other strip is mounted a detonator. The strips are preferably wholly or partially inclosed in a sheath or the like and so mounted in the fuse body that on the shock of discharge of the projectile the strips will be so set back that the cap will strike a needle or anvil or other suitable surface and be fired thereby igniting the end of the strip to which the cap is attached. The perforating device may be formed in various ways but conveniently it comprises a needle carried on "a screw-threaded holder proslot along which are suitable markings and through this slot passes the perforating needle, the carrier for which may be in the form of a collar surrounding the positioning sleeve. By rotating the sleeve the point of the needle will move along the spiral slot and be caused to occupy the necessary position along the length of fuse strips so that perforation of the latter can be effected at a point in their length in accordance with the time which it is desired shall elapse while combustion travels from the cap to the detonator. Though as indicated two separate strips of fuse material may be employed it is preferable to use a single length and double this on itself in the manner indicated, as with that arrangement, in the event of the flame failing to travel through the perforations, or if the perforation has been forgotten, combustion will continue through the length of the fuse strip until the detonator is ignited. In this case the time which will elapse between the moment when one end of the strip is ignited by the cap and the firing of the detonator will be determined by the total length of the strip. By means of the perforations the combustion taking place in the strip is as it were short-circuited and the time that will elapse between the firing of the cap and of the dot onator is determined by the distance of the perforations from the cap along the length of the double strip.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example one construction of fuse in accordance with the present invention. In these drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevationof the improved fuse mounted on the end of a projectile.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on the line 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the perforating device when mounted in position for use on the fuse, the latter being viewed as in Fig.

. perforating needle and carrier therefor.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the positioning sleeve. I I I Like letters indicatelike parts throughout the drawings I I "A suitable length of Bickford fuse, s taken and doubled on itself so asto form two strips AA of unequal length, the I end ofthe shorter portion A ofthe strip s mounted in a casegor holder B of some suit able, type afpercus'sioncap 'B'Cvvhich is dapt ed to 'be'fired' When-brought sharplyin contactwith a needle or anvil. Onthe end, of. the-longer art A oft he strip is mounted a I detonato1';,. I of suitable: type. The doubled portions A A of the strip are inserted in a metal; sheath D which is either in the form of a closed sleeveor; oval or other suitable cross-section as Yshowii in Figs. 2 and a or may have an opening running throughoutp the wholeyor the -greater. portion of its length. This opening permits of the passage of the perforatingne'edle.

is formed as a closed sleeve the metal emsuchla nature that the: perforating needle ,will easily pass therethrough for example lead or lead {composition may be used. The

sheath D is of such length'as to embrace the cap holder B and thus support th cap B in such a manner that the setback action necessaryto bring about the firing of the" cap will occur. The folded strip A A is fixed within the sheath D in some convenient the sheath'and not'be liable to become read- I 1 ily displaced.

Thef-usebody isinthe form of a cylindri- 0 cal casingE hollowedoutt'o form a chamber ofoval or circular cross-section which ex: tends throughout the whole, as in the example shown, or thefgreater part of the length of the body. In this chamber lies the sheath D with the fuse strips A A contained there; in the sheath beingso; 'disposedthatwhen released it can slideor set back in thefuse body.

. v Untiltheprojectile ist'obefi red the is retained in the safety position by a pin P which passes through openings in the wall of the fuse body E and in the upper part, of

A the sheath D. Whenas in the preferred construction a softmetal sheath is employedthe safety pin F need not be withdrawn as the I I Where, as; in the construction illustrated, the sheath D I E are shownin Fig. 4:.

set back causes the holes toyenlarge or the metal of the sheath D to tear and allowthe sheath to move so thatthe cap B/ may be strdck. To? arm the fuse 'wh-eiia hard metal sheath is employed this safety pin is formed so that it can be vvithdrawn when the sheath and thefuse strip are free to set back on discharge of the projectile. The sheath D preferably fits closely in the Chamber in the Y fuse body sogthat when the pin is-with'drawn it is frictio ally' held in its safety position until discharge occurs. A shearing wire or pin may if desiredbe'provided to insure-.-

this. 5

jection G will occupy. such a position in relation to the cap, B that it willjact as an anvil. Thus on discharge the cap B will be set back on tothe projection Gr and be red-ther y Y Te fusebody is slotted as at E throughout the whole or the greater portion opening-along the length of-the sheath D if such is-provided or being so arranged and needle can pass'therethrough in the direction necessary to perforate the two parallel strips .A A of fuse material. The relative positions of the fuse strips A A and the slot The positioning-part of the settingdevice is conveniently formed as a' sle'eve H which fits over thefuse-body E so that it can be easily rotated thereon and 'in this sleeve is formed a spiral slot- H" of suitable length andof such dimensions as will allow the perforatmg needle to pass freely therethrough.

T-heperforating needleJ iscarried by a collar' K which surrounds the positioning sleeve H on which it can beffixedby a set-screw L. This collar K has formed on it a tubular lug Kf-in whichis formed a spiral slot K and in this slotlies the headof a screw or stud J whichi 1s inserted in the carrier J 2 for theperforatin-g needle J. The needle J which is of suitable length and construction is lar lug -K-. 011 the end of the rod J opposite to that which carries the needle J is mounted a handle of suitable type such as the lever arm J The perforating needle J is guided .by a sleeve M which is'screwed h B t-he end of of the I I I I I of its length this slotcorresponding to the v plo-yed in theformation of the sheath-is of.

.nior iiteIdfin" the end of ashort rod J? con-Y venientlyof-larger diameter than the needle and this'rod lies and slides within the tubuinto the inner end of the tubular lug K and projects a short distance radially inward from the collar K passing through the slot H in the sleeve H. While the needle J is thus guided the carrier rod J 2 slides and rotates in the tubular lug K. When the car: rier J 2 is rotated by means of the lever arm J 3 the movement of the stud J in the spiral slot K in the tubular lug K causes the carrier J 2 and the needle J to move axially with the result that the needle J will pierce the two strips A A of fusible material which arepositioned opposite to it one behindthe other the needle passing first through the strip A and then into the strip A.

The spiral slot K in the tubular lug K is conveniently closed in by a sleeve N which surrounds that portion of the tube K in which the slot K is formed. This sleeve is fixed by a set screw N.

In the nose of the projectile G may be carried a tube or gain not shown in the drawings adapted to receive the end of the longer part A of the fuse strip with the detonator C thereon. The inner end of this tube which is closed may carry a pad of suitable material against which the end of the detonator will come when the sheath D and fuse strip A A set back on discharge.

I Graduations are provided on the sleeve H which show the setting positions for the perforating needle J and these may be suitably marked as for example along a spiral line or along the edge of the slot H so that the graduations can be read off at a mark or pointer carried by or formed on the collar K which supports the needle J.

When a projectile provided with the improved fuse is to be fired the collar K is set along the length of the sleeve H at the graduation indicating the time that it is desired shall elapse between the igniting of the one end of the strip A of fuse material by the cap B and the firing of the detonator C, the combustion traveling from the cap along the strip A through the short-circuiting perforation down the strip A to the detonator C. In thus setting the collar K oh the sleeve H the former naturally rotates about the sleeve H as the guide sleeve M, through which the needle J passes. travels along the spiral slot H. When the needlecarrying collar K is in the required position it is fixed by means of the set screw L. The sleeve H is now placed over the fuse body E with one end of the sleeve butting up against the end of the projectile G. The end of the needle J now lies in the slot E in the fuse body E opposite the point in the length of the doubled strip of fuse material A A where the perforation is to be efi'ected. By means of the handle J 3 the carrier J is rotated and by the action of the study J in the spiral slot K in the tubular lug K of the collar K the needle J is forced through The setting device for the perforating needle may be formed otherwise than as above more particularly indicated. For example in place of a rotatable sleeve H with spiral slot H a fixed sleeve may be used 7 with a longitudinal opening through'which the needle can pass the side of this opening belng graduated in some suitable manner. In thls case the collar or other needle carrier is merely moved straight along the sleeve to V the required position. If desired a separate sleeve H such as described as constituting the positioning device may be dispensed with and the necessary markings or graduations may be disposed on the fuse body E which is then suitably formed to receive the needlecarrying collar K and permit of its adjustment thereon. By employing a rotatable sleeve H, however, with spiral slot H it is possible to graduate or mark the positions more clearly and obtain greater accuracy. j

The short circuiting or puncturing of the fuse may be brought about by cutting away in some suitable manner adjoining portions of the Walls of the parallel strips A A thus exposing the fuse material within so that the flame may flash across at the determined place where the cutting of the walls has.

succession by passing first right through 110 one strip and then entering the other as described.

In place of the cap B being so mounted in its holder B as to project sufiiciently to insure its being fired when set back against the part G of the projectile G or of the fuse body or Whatever may be presented to it according to the construction employed, the cap may be arranged so that its end is flush with the holder or recessed therein. On the holder may then be mounted by means of suitable clips a nipple, projecting stud or the like which lies against the face of the cap. For example the cap holder may be cylindrical with a flanged periphery the arrangement resembling that commonly adopted in the construction of cartridges for fixed ammunition. Attached to the head of the holder is a clip comprising for example.

a disk of suitable dimensions, for instance set forth.

having a diameter approximately-the same which are turned up to. embrace the flange of theholder. In lthecenter-ofthe disk is p tOglIlCllCilIQ-tll pointat which the perforatev mounted the nipple.-'. With thisarrangement when the fuse strips are set back on discharge the projection which liesagainst-the face of the cap isbrought sharply-into con--. tactwith theeapJwhen the caphold-er sets back onto theipart of the fuse body or pm. jecti le nose which: is formed 'to act asmahammer orianvil. 1

fl hough as above mentioned the present" invention is more particularly intended for;

use with projectiles to. be fired fromsstrench mortars and like ordnance it will be understood that the-improved time fuse may be used with other forms of projeetilel': The

details of construction, may be modifiedtoi meetrequirements and the type of projectile I to which thefuse is applied.

I What I claim-asmy invention and. desire to secure byv Letters Ifatent is j I 1."In a fuse foraprojectile the combina tion of a fuse body having alongitudinal chamber therein, an anvil at the rear. end of said chamber, a strip of. fuse material'com posed of ahighly comblist'ible substance in closed in an outer coveringof material less and in contact, a percusslon cap atone .end of the fuse str'ip in proximity tothe anvil. and a detonator at'the other end of-the fu'se strip substantially as andgfor the purpose 2. In a fuse for chamber therein, ananvil at the rear end of said chamber, two strips of fuse material.

composed 'ofa highly combustible substance 'inclosed in an outer covering of material length, a percussion cap atthe end of -0ne'0f said strips in proximity to the anvil,,adetless readily combustible, said stripslbeing parallel and in contact for aportion of their onatorat the end of the other strip. and means for perforating or otherwlse break ng the uter covers of the strips at adjacent points so that when; one strip has been. ig-

nited'by the percussion-cap combustion can spread from the interior of that strip to the interior of the other atthe place wh th perforations have been effected substantially as set forth.

3; In a fuse for I tion of ,a fuse body having a longitudinal readily combustible said strips being parallel and in contact fora portion of their length,-a percussion cap at-theen'd of one of a projectile the combinas tion of a fuse body having a longitudinal.

'a projectile the combina-- said strips in proximitytotheanvfl, a detlf onator at the-end of the :otheristrip, a perforator orgpiercer for. breaking the outer covers of the" strips atl adjac'ent points and a.

graduated guide-for said perforation serving ing'must' take .place in order that the com bustionwill travelfrom'the .end of. one. strip through the perforations to theend of the other .strlp'ln a'gi-ven time substantially as ..set forth.-

4.; In a fusefor a projectile the combina- I tlon of aifuse body'having a longitudinal chamber therein and,v apslot giving entrance to said chamber, of anzanvil at the rear end of said chamber, a strip offusevmaterial' Q composed of ahighly combustiblesubstance inclosed in an outer coveringofmaterialless readily combustible said strip being dubled on itself so that the two portions are parallel and incontact .for ,-a portionof their. in length, a percussion fuseonione end of the fuse strip in proximity tothe anvil, a det- Y ,onator at, the other endflof the, fuse strip,

means for perforating or otherwise breakingthe outer coverings ofthestrip at adjacent po nts andmeansforpositioning the perforating device along the length of the strips in accordance withtheitime it is desired shall i tosaid chamber, an anvil at therear end of said chamber, a strip of fuse material composed of a highly combustible. substance in- "closed in an outer" covering of material less readily combustible said strip being doubled on itself so that the two portions are parallel and in contact for a portion of their length,

to at the. other end of the fuse strip, a sleeve fitting over the fuse body and having slot and be thereby positioned relatively to the slot in the fuse body so that it may pass .therethrough to pierce the two layers of fuse strip at a predetermined point in their length 7 as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a fuse fora projectile the combinatlon of a fuse body having alongitudi-nal chamber therein and a slot giving entrance to said chamber, an anvil at the rear end of. sald chamber, a'sheath within said chamber normally. stationary thereto but capable of .-a percussion cap-on one end of the fuse strip wh1ch 1s in proximity tothe anvil, a deto-na- I a spiral slot, a perforator mounted on the sleeve so that it can be moved along-the spiral moving, relativelytothe chamber on the shock of discharge, astrip of fuse material composed of a highly-combustible substance inclosed in an outer covering ofmaterial less readily combustible, said strip being doubled on itself so that the two portions are parallel ,and incontaot with each otherzthe doubled portion being held within the sheath, a percussion cap on one end of the fuse strip in proximity to the anvil, a detonator at the other end of the fuse strip, a sleeve fitting over the fuse body and having a spiral slot, a perforator mounted on the sleeve so that it can be moved along the spiral slot and be thereby positioned relatively to the slot in the fuse body so that it may pass therethrough to pierce the two layers of fuse strip at a pm etermined point in their length as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a fuse for a projectile the combination of a fuse body having a longitudinal chamber therein and a slot giving entrance to said chamber, an anvil at the rear end of said chamber, a sheath within said chamber normally stationary thereto but capable of mow'ng relatively to the chamber on the shock of discharge, a strip of fuse material composed of a highly combustible substance inclosed in an outer covering of material less readily combustible said strip being doubled on itself so that the two portions are parallel and in contact with each other the doubled portion being held within the sheath, a percussion cap on one end of the fuse strip in proximity to the anvil, a detonator at the other end of the fuse strip, a sleeve fitting over the fuse body and having a spiral slot, an outer sleeve or collar capable of being moved and set relatively to the inner sleeve, a tubular lug or extension on said outer sleeve having a spiral slot therein, a perforator or piercer mounted within the tubular lug and engaging with the spiral slot therein, a hollow pin or sleeve projecting from the tubular sleeve into the spiral slot in the inner sleeve and forming a guide for the perforator and means for rotating the perforator so that it travels forward through the guide, and enters the slot .in the fuse body and perforates the outer coverings of the parallel portions of the fuse strip substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a fuse for a projectile the combination of two strips of fuse material composed of a highly combustible substance inclosed in an outer covering of material less readily combustible said strips being parallel and in contact for a portion of their length, means for igniting one end of one strip, and ad justable means for perforating or otherwise breaking the coverings of the strips at adjacent points so that combustion can spread from the interior of one strip to the interior of the other at the places where perforations have been effected for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

.FREDERIGK WILFRID SCOTT STOKES.

Witnesses:

E. O. CAsK, Jr., R. BAGGOTT.

Gopiesof this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

